United Hemispheres - March 2007 Issue

While travelling on United Airlines during March 2007, please check out page 138 of the Hemispheres Magazine on the airplane. This ad is in celebration of our 25th anniversary. Fly safely!

Thanks to the Park Hyatt and Masters of Food and Wine

Some of you have experienced this great event and for the past 21 years we have enjoyed this "World class exhibition of food and wine". We were early participants and enjoyed the past few years as the "last in the USA" participants. Thanks to Hyatt, Robert Weakley, and Mark Buzan for our invite.

Monterey County Delegates meet with the Honorable Sam Farr

As a delegate appointed by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, we visited the Honorable Sam Farr at his Capitol Hill office. This was my first experience dealing directly with our elected members of Congress. This trip also included an outstanding meeting with the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor, Emily DeRocco. Washington D.C was an exceptional experience.

What we do after the Pruning - Weed Control

We have finished pruning and now for the weed control. We run the tractor through the vineyard and turn over the weeds into the ground. This is a natural way to groom the vineyard and avoid any chemicals.

Wine, Better than your Vitamins

According to Wine and Spirits Daily - "The Sixth International Wine and Heart Health Symposium revealed that doctors at Kaiser Permanente have found that not only does moderate consumption of wine reduce the risk for deaths from coronary and vascular disease, but it also reduces the risk for ischemic strokes, diabetes and even gallstones."

Ditch the coffee and have another glass of wine!

More on Passport Weekend 2007

The "Estate" for Passport Weekend extended great wine, food and hospitality to all that visited us.

Passport Weekend at Chateau Julien - February 2007

Passport Weekend at Chateau Julien Wine Estate features Cheese, Pate and many other favorites of Chef Jon Kasky. The weekend event started on Friday, February 16th and concludes today, February 18th. What a great way to start the week into "Masters of Food and Wine" at Highlands Inn.

Side Trips - For Wine Trips - El Paso

El Paso has everything from Indians (Ysleta) to the (no so) mighty Rio Grande, to a Panorama view of the west side towards New Mexaco and a simple Taxas State Line sign. The folks of this region have an enormous amount of History. Remember this was part of Mexico not too long ago.

What to do after the Wine Dinner in El Paso

After a great dinner at "Jaxons" in El Paso, Texas - there is always the question of "What to do?" No trip would be complete without a visit to Juarez, Mexico and spending a day with Alvin (our Distributor Sales Manager). By the way the "Kentucky Club" claims to have made the first Margarita - over 100 years ago.

Our Greatest Friends

Marshall and Candace are our "Best" friends. We have an incredible time with them when we get together. The post is one of those times that someone filmed us while we were enjoying life. What a privilege to know and enjoy such great people.

Remembering back - Stuck in February doldrums

Back in 2005 - Bobby was in High School and our life was different. Today, he is in college studying "Wine, Fire Academy and women" - and probably some beer. We miss him!

Are you in Boston this Weekend? Feb 10th and 11th

The pre release of Bravura will occur in Boston this weekend with Bill Anderson (Winemaster) and Fina Dominguez (Manager of Premier Accounts) opening the first bottles of our 25th anniversary wine. This is a grand event held in the Boston harbor for all wineries to participate. If you are in Boston, what a great time to avoid the tea and enjoy some wine.

White Wine Might Help You Breathe

"As Wine & Spirits Daily reported awhile ago, the health benefits of white wine are beginning to surface. Last month, scientists announced they had found evidence that the pulp of grapes are just as heart-healthy in laboratory experience as the skin, which means white wine may be just as healthy as red"

"Now, scientists are saying that while both red and white wine aid in lung function, white wine has a more positive impact on lung health. According to a study by the American Thoracic Society, a positive link between white wine and lung health was found for people who drank between one and three glasses a day."

Time out while I finish my glass of Chardonnay!

Global Warming - I'm not sure

On a recent business trip (coming back from Germany) the flight passed over Greenland. These are a few of my pictures from 30,000 feet. The ice melt was incredible. This was a great look at a barren country. I did not see any evidence of any grapegrowing region. Still too cold!

What are you doing for Valentines Day 2007

How about Valentines Day in El Paso, Texas. Good friends of ours are the owners of Jaxon's in El Paso. This is our 4th (maybe 5th - who can count) winemaker dinner in El Paso at Jaxon's. Come down and meet Kate and Gary and their "Chief of Staff" Louise! This is one great dinner - Doggie bags for the sweetie? (Just kidding!)

OLD VINES AND OLDER VINES

Can you tell the difference? One of these vines was planted in 1984 (Zinfandel) and the other was planted in 1997 (Sangiovese). During this time of year - they kind of all look alike!

The World in a Glass: Blood pressure and wine

"Do you have hypertension? Drinking wine may be OK. A new study from the Harvard School of Public Health showed that men with hypertension have a 30 percent lower risk of suffering a heart attack if they drink a glass or two of wine daily, according to an item on winespectator.com" and as published in the Napa Valley Register.

The effects of a 10 day freeze at the "Estate" The vines are fine the freeze broke the Ferrari

The effects of the winter freeze are evident on the gardens of the "Estate". The winter colors and those of the last blooming flowering plants have passed into the dull browns of frost and freeze damage. The real tragedy is the radiator of the 275-GTS, apparently it froze and upon starting today - sprung leaks everywhere. The cost of winter!

Grape Vine or Rose Bush

A head trained grapevine looks a lot like a rosebush this time of year. They both require pruning! Can you tell which one is the grapevine and which one is the rosebush. Picture (1) and Picture (2) below.

Auctions, Auctions and Auctions in Scottsdale

If you were wondering why the winery news was light last week, it was because of the car auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nope, didn't add to the collection. The auctions of Russo and Steele, RM and Barrett Jackson were unbelievable. This auction normally tells me how strong the economy is - my economic barometer. Folks - it is stronger than you think.

Bobby and Beth in Los Angeles

Bobby Brower (our son) enjoy's the Holiday break from Fresno State to visit Hollywood. Are these stars in the making?

Pruning Begins for 2007

Fully 11 days behind 2006, we began pruning the Sangiovese in Carmel Valley on January 16th. The weather has tempered a little and finally we have daytime temps in the 50's. It will take about one week to prune these 4000 vines.